The Colorado Montessori Association Advocacy Committee follows legislation and regulation changes as they occur at the state level, and shares information we deem useful to Montessori schools in Colorado. If there is information we feel member schools should know about, this is where to look for information.

The following are guidelines for our advocacy work. For more information, contact Advocacy Chair Nina Lindeke at coloradomontessoriassociation@gmail.com

PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE GUIDELINES

The Colorado Montessori Association is committed to engaging in advocacy efforts on behalf of Colorado’s Montessori schools, teachers, and families. Through these advocacy efforts we will engage with state offices such as the Department of Education and the Department of Human Services, we will partner with advocacy organizations working on the same issues, as well as through engagement with elected officials.

Advocacy & Engagement

Proactive Approach

CMA will proactively develop strategies to address key issues facing our membership and we will include our stakeholders in this process.

Stakeholder Engagement

We encourage board members, volunteers, and members to act as advocates for Montessori and as ambassadors for CMA in the community.

CMA will ensure that advocates are knowledgeable about our organization and are well-prepared to speak on behalf of the organization during advocacy efforts.

Communications

We commit to ensuring that all communications from CMA regarding our advocacy work are timely and accurate and that the social and political context of the information is clear.

Advocacy Plan

When engaged in advocacy activities, CMA will follow the guidelines composed herein and ensure that the scope of work, timelines, and financial resources used are clearly outlined and communicated.

Relationship Building

As an advocate for Montessori, CMA will actively engage in building relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and other non-profits in order to strengthen our ability to affect community change and impact public policy.

We are a non-partisan organization. CMA will not, at any time or for any reason, offer express endorsement of a political candidate or political policy. However, we will endorse policy brought forth by an individual elected official or political party if said policy is aligned with our mission and vision.

Outreach

CMA commits to providing context and information in a timely manner to members and stakeholders regarding important issues on policy and regulation.

CMA commits to providing public and private forums for members to express support or concerns regarding our advocacy efforts.

CMA encourages all members at large to participate in advocacy and civic engagement.

Public Policy

Policy Climate

We acknowledge our responsibility as an advocacy group to understand the policy climate in Colorado in order to be prepared for the possible questions and outcomes from our advocacy efforts.

Policy Positions

CMA is committed to actively engaging in and supporting the formation and amendment of public policy consistent with our mission through partnership with other organizations, meeting with elected officials, and testifying at the State Capitol.

We will inform members and stakeholders about our activities and the issues associated with them.

Distinction of Personal Positions

CMA does not condone or prevent board members, staff, volunteers, or members at large from testifying and advocating on behalf of issues of personal importance to them. However, any personal advocacy must be clearly separated from CMA and our name, logo, and acronym are not approved for use in these situations.

All issues in which CMA is involved must be approved by the board of directors and communicated to the membership at large.

Lobbying Efforts

At this time, CMA does not formally engage in lobbying efforts.

CMA reserves the right to communicate with lobbyists from organizations with whom we have partnered for a specific cause.